Star-Ledger file photoJay Pandolfo said the reality that he won't be back with the Devils next year hasn't sunk in yet.

Jay Pandolfo said he does not expect to be claimed on waivers because of his $2.5 million contract, but the Devils will do him a favor by buying him out.

"No, I don't think I'll be claimed. I think my salary is too high," Pandolfo said today. "Then I'll be able to be bought out."

If the team buys out the final year of his $2.5 million contract at approximately $1.67 million, Pandolfo would be an unrestricted free agent.

He said he is still in a bit of shock that his request to be placed on waivers and bought out is happening.

"I don't think it's really sunk in yet that I'm not going to be there next season," he said. "But this gives me a chance to play somewhere else. Better to have that chance right now when free agency is starting than to go to training camp in September and find out it's not working out again. Where does that leave me then?"

"I talked to Lou and I felt like the best thing for me was to be bought out and have a chance to sign and play for another team instead of coming back," he said. "I don't really want to be in the same situation I was in the last two years here."

He said last season was very hard to endure.

"It was really difficult how everything went down over the last year," he said. "Everything comes to an end at some point, I guess. I appreciate Lou doing this for me."

Pandolfo preferred not to talk about being forced to dress with the scratches in the practice locker room during the playoffs while his teammates were in the main room.

"I can't do anything to change that," he said. "It's in the past."

Pandolfo said he had no doubt he can still be a productive player in the NHL.

"Definitely. Last year I tried to play through a shoulder injury all year," he said. "It didn't work out. I'm getting healthy this summer and I feel when I'm healthy I'll be fine."

That injury was courtesy of a Mike Rupp hit in Oct. 24 in Pittsburgh.

Pandolfo had surgery to fix his rotator cuff this offseason and said he is ahead of schedule and will be ready for training camp.

Wherever that may be.

Paul Martin said he was saddened by the way Pandolfo's days as a Devil ended.

"It is sad. Especially for what he has given to the organization and done for the team. He's the ultimate team guy in the locker room," Martin said. "It's tough to see. He's had a tough couple of years, being scratched and the injury.

"He brings nothing but grit and hard work to the team. You hate to see him exit this way, but hopefully he gets a shot somewhere else. I hope everything works out for him."